Skip to main content

Chilled Avocado Soup with Scallops

Avocado gives this dairy-free soup its creamy texture. For a super-sophisticated presentation, serve it in chilled martini glasses and garnish each one with a drizzle of Mexican crema or crème fraîche. If you prefer a soup with a thinner consistency, add water until it’s exactly the way you like it.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup diced white onion
1 serrano chile, stemmed, seeded, and diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
Salt
4 firm but ripe avocados, halved, pitted, and peeled
2 cups chicken broth
5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Freshly ground black pepper
6 to 8 jumbo scallops
1/2 cup Mexican crema (see page 70) or crème fraîche, whisked to soften

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and serrano chile and sauté for 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

    Step 2

    Put the avocados in a blender. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, cilantro, and onion mixture. Puree until smooth. Blend in 2 cups water. Strain the soup into a large bowl, and season it to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 3 hours.

    Step 3

    Sprinkle the scallops all over with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, sear the scallops for 1 minute per side, or until just cooked through.

    Step 4

    Pour the chilled soup into individual bowls. Top each serving with a scallop, and drizzle with the crema.

Fresh Mexico
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.